Vera Andjaparidze Actress, people's actress of the USSR Date of Birth: 06.10.1900 Country: Georgia

1. Biography of Vera (Veriko) Andzhaparidze
2. Collaboration with K. A. Mardzhanishvili
3. Film Career
4. Recognition and Legacy

Biography of Vera (Veriko) Andzhaparidze

Vera Andzhaparidze was a Soviet actress and a prominent figure in Georgian theater. Born on October 6, 1900, in Kutaisi, Georgia, she was raised in a creative atmosphere, which influenced her career choice. After finishing school in 1916, she moved to Moscow and joined the drama studio of actor S. V. Aidarov at the Moscow Art Theatre. However, her studies were cut short due to the revolution, and she had to return to Georgia.

In Tbilisi, Andzhaparidze joined the studio of Georgian actor G. Djabadari, where she met her future husband, Mikhail Chiaureli. In 1920, the studio disbanded, and she became a member of the Shota Rustaveli Theatre, led by Sandro Akhmeteli, where she worked until 1927. During this time, she also performed at the Batumi Theatre under the direction of Akakii Pagava.

Collaboration with K. A. Mardzhanishvili

In 1928, Andzhaparidze's career took a new turn when she met K. A. Mardzhanishvili, the founder of Georgian theater. She joined his drama theater and achieved her first triumph with brilliant performances as Ophelia in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and Judith in K. Gutsakhvili's "Uriel Acosta". Over the years, Andzhaparidze created numerous unforgettable characters, including Ginatre in "Guria Ninoshvili" by Dadiani (1934), Javara and the Gypsy in "The Exile" by Vaja-Pshavela (1945), Cleopatra in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" (1951), Marguerite Gautier in Dumas fils' "The Lady of the Camellias" (1940), Mary Stuart in Schiller's eponymous play (1955), Granny Eukhenia in A. Kason's "Trees Die Standing" (1957), and Mother in K. Capek's "Mother" (1965).

Andzhaparidze became a close collaborator of K. A. Mardzhanishvili, not only as a leading actress but also as a director. In 1957, she was appointed as the artistic director of the K. Mardzhanishvili Theatre, a position she held until 1960. She also taught at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre Institute in Tbilisi.

Film Career

Andzhaparidze began her film career in the 1920s and gained recognition for her role in her husband's film "Saba" (1929). She brought her high stage culture and the traditions of Georgian theater to the big screen. Her performances were characterized by strong-willed characters, depth of emotions, and determination. One of her most notable roles was Princess Rusudan in Mikhail Chiaureli's film "Georgy Saakadze" (1942-43).

Throughout her career, Andzhaparidze worked with various directors, including Shalva Gedevanishvili, Vakhtang Tabliashvili, Sergey Yutkevich, Nicolas Saniashvili, and Frantisek Sadec. Her later roles included the old fortune teller in "The Legend of Suram Fortress" (1984) directed by David Abashidze and Sergei Parajanov, and the wanderer in Tengiz Abuladze's "Repentance" (1984).

Recognition and Legacy

Andzhaparidze's talent was highly praised worldwide. In 1992, she was listed among the top ten outstanding actresses of the 20th century in the "Who is Who" encyclopedia in London, along with Nonna Mordyukova and Faina Ranevskaya.

Andzhaparidze's daughter, Sofiko Chiaureli, followed in her footsteps and became a renowned actress in her own right. Vera Andzhaparidze passed away on October 30, 1993, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional performances in both theater and film.